General Manager
Company: Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Company Overview:
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is one of America's most successful and beloved hamburger concepts — ranked the #1 burger in the U.S. by Zagat. While our food gets the headlines, it's our people-first culture that makes the real difference. At Five Guys, both crew members and managers are cross-trained to work every position in the restaurant, creating a high-energy, collaborative, and fun work environment.
With an open kitchen layout, we bring the guest experience right into the action — it's loud, fast, and filled with team communication.
What It Takes to Be a Five Guys General Manager:
- People & Leadership Skills: Can you inspire and motivate others? This is the #1 trait we seek. Great leadership creates great teams.
- High Energy & Stamina: Our kitchens are fast-paced and physically active environments. Being on your feet and staying energized is a must.
- Adaptability: You'll manage a rotating crew and shift roles constantly throughout the day.
- Communication: Real-time, vocal collaboration is essential — we rely on strong team communication to keep things moving.
- Love of Food & Music: We make amazing burgers to the sounds of classic rock. A good vibe is part of our culture — and yes, singing along is encouraged!
- Team Mindset: Our best managers always put the team first and lead with humility.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee financial performance, including inventory control and cost management.
- Lead crew assignments, coaching, and performance during all shifts.
- Foster outstanding customer experiences through proactive service and problem-solving.
- Own the full shift operations, ensuring everything runs smoothly from open to close.
- Work a combination of both opening and closing shifts:
- Morning: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Afternoon/Evening: 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age
- High school diploma required; some college or continuing education is a plus
- 1–2 years of leadership experience, ideally in a restaurant or customer-facing business
- Previous experience in food service strongly preferred
- ServeSafe Certification is a plus
- Strong, reliable professional references — from both supervisors and former direct reports
Perks & Benefits:
- Competitive base pay
- Quarterly bonus program based on restaurant performance
- Career advancement opportunities with a rapidly growing brand
- Dynamic and supportive team culture
- Ongoing training and leadership development
Ready to Lead the Team?
At Five Guys, you'll find a role where passion, leadership, and hustle come together in a fast-paced, rewarding environment. Bring your energy, grow with us, and help us deliver legendary burgers — every single day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Five Guys emphasizes a people-first culture where General Managers actively cross-train with crew, fostering hands-on leadership. The role demands dynamic communication and team motivation in a high-energy kitchen, creating a uniquely collaborative environment unlike many other fast-food chains.
Managing a Five Guys in Lockport requires balancing fast-paced operations with a community-oriented approach. Local hiring trends favor adaptable leaders who can maintain quality service amid a mix of experienced and entry-level staff, ensuring smooth shifts aligned with regional customer expectations.
Success hinges on high energy, stamina, and the ability to inspire diverse teams. Effective General Managers excel at real-time communication, adaptability across roles, and fostering a team-first mindset, all while maintaining operational efficiency in a lively, customer-facing setting.
Beyond competitive base pay, Five Guys offers quarterly bonuses linked to store performance and rapid career progression opportunities. The supportive culture and continuous leadership development are tailored to regional market demands, enhancing job satisfaction specifically in the Illinois area.
Lockport’s smaller market size often means tighter-knit teams but also demands versatility from General Managers due to fluctuating crew sizes. Compared to Chicago, there’s less turnover but a stronger emphasis on multi-role management to maintain consistent service levels.
General Managers at Five Guys in Lockport typically earn between $50,000 and $65,000 annually, including bonuses. This range reflects the regional cost of living and competitive fast-food management salaries in Illinois, balancing base pay with performance incentives.
The company entrusts General Managers with full shift ownership, requiring hands-on oversight from opening to closing. This includes dynamic scheduling, inventory controls, and real-time problem solving to keep service seamless across both morning and evening shifts.
Career progression often leads from store management to regional leadership roles. Five Guys supports this with structured training programs, leadership development, and a track record of promoting from within, making Lockport a strategic launching point for ambitious managers.
Absolutely. The brand’s emphasis on a fun, music-filled environment and team collaboration shapes managerial choices. General Managers balance operational demands with maintaining the upbeat atmosphere that defines Five Guys, ensuring both employee morale and customer satisfaction thrive.
This role uniquely blends culinary enthusiasm with leadership, as managers engage directly with staff and customers in a lively setting. The love for great burgers paired with motivating teams creates an environment where passion fuels performance daily.